Adjustable cutter bar



July 7, 1942. F. J. JONES ADJUSTABLE CUTTER BAR Filed oct. 9, 1941 4 Sheets-sheet 1 I fdc/07266 LM/ July 7, 1942. F. J. JONES 2,289,123

ADJUSTABLE GUTTER BAR Filed Oct. 9, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z/ y gmc/rmt Eff/072495 July 7, 1942. l:1 1 JONES 2,289,123

` ADJUSTABLE CUTTER BAR Filed Oct. 9, 1941 4 Sheeis-Sheet 3 ya z5 July 7, 1942. F. J. JONES ADJUSTABLE CUTTER BAR Filed Oct. 9, 1941 4 SheetS-Sheet-4 NWN WM. .Qu

.um .NR ma @n Nb mh Patented July 7, 1942 ETE@ FFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to an adjustable cutting bar for use with conventional cutting machines and conventional endless cutting chains driven thereby.

It is a primary object of this invention to lprovide a cutting bar in which adjustments may be made to take up loose play between a cutting chain, guided by the bar, and the bar to provide means to compensate for wear on the cutting chain and the parts of the bar engaged thereby, said bar being so constructed that adjustment thereof can be made without removing the bar from a cutting machine on which it is mounted.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a bar of simple construction capable of being ecol nomically manufactured and sold .and which will be durable and capable of being easily adjusted.

Still a further aim of the invention is to provide adjustment means, carried by the bar, for adjustably positioning the bar relatively to a cutting machine on which it is mounted for adjusting the tension on a cutting chain.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a channel in which the cutting chain is adapted to run and which is lined with wear strips 'i constructed to form a T-shaped slot for the cutting chain, and arranged so that the chain does not engage any part of the bar to prevent wear on the bar.

Other objects and advantages of the invention V will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary plan View of a cutting bar constructed in accordance with the invention, Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged cross sectional views, taken substantially along the planes of the lines 2 2 and 3 3, respectively, of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical side of one of the plates on the outer end of the l cutting bar,

Figure 8 is a perspective View of the base portion of the outer end of the cutting bar and with the cover plates removed,

Figure 9 is an enlarged transverse vertical secrf tional view of a portion of the cutting bar, taken substantially along a plane indicated by the line 5 9 of Figure 6,

Figure l0 is a top plan View showing the inner end of the cutting bar attached to a conventional cutting machine,

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the plane of the line Il ll of Figure 10, and

Figure 12 is a perspective View of one of the shims, forming a part of the outer end of the cutting bar.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views, l5 designates generally the improved cutting bar in its entirety, and which includes an elongated base section, designated generally I6. The base section I includes two corresponding members Il which are shaped similarly to a railroad rail, as best seen in Figure 5, and each of which includes a web I8, a flanged base I9 and a flanged head 2li. The outer sides of the bases IS are secured together in abutting engagement in any suitable manner to form the base section I5. However, it will be readily apparent that the two members Il could obviously be formed integral if desired.

The members I1 are provided at spaced points with bearing members 2|, as seen in Figures 5 and 6, which are disposed in the .angles formed by the webs I3 and the flanged heads 2i), and which may be formed integral with the members il or suitably secured thereto, as by welding. The bearings 2l are located at corresponding positions on both sides of the webs I3. A plate 22 is disposed on each side of each of the members I1. The plates Z2 are provided on their inner sides, and adjacent their inner edges, with a plurality of pairs of cam strips 23 which are disposed transversely thereof. The strips 23 of each pair of the strips are disposed in spaced relationship to one another and said strips are provided adjacent corresponding ends thereof with openings 2:3. As seen in Figure 6, the strips of the pairs of strips Y 23 are spaced so that a bearing 2| will t between each of said pairs of strips and with the openings 24 thereof alined With the bore of the bearing for receiving a hinge pin 25. Thus, each of the plates 22 is connected in this manner at a plurality of points to a rail shaped member Il for pivotally mounting the plates 22 relatively to the base section I6. One of the strips 23 of each of the pairs thereof is provided with an outwardly extending threaded opening 26, as best seen in Figure 4, which registers with a threaded opening 21 in the plate 22, to which said cam strip 23 is secured, for receiving a set screw 28 which engages the pin 25, which extends through said strip 23 for detachably holding the pin in engagement with a bearing member 2| and a pair of the cam strips 23. The hinge pins 25 are thus ixedly secured relatively to the cam strips 23 and are turnably mounted in the bearing members 2| for pivotally mounting the plates 22. The plates 22 are each provided with a plurality of elongated slots 29, each of which slots is disposed between pairs of the cam strips 23 to provide means whereby the pins 25 can be inserted or removed for attaching the plates 22 to the base member I 6 or for detaching them therefrom.

The bar I is provided with an outer rounded end or head, designated generally 30, which includes a substantially D-shaped base section 3| having a web portion 32. The straight side or edge of the web portion 32 is formed integral with or suitably secured to the outer ends of the web portions I8, as best seen in Figure 8. The web 32 is provided with an arcuately shaped flange 33 which is formed integral with or suitably secured to its outer, rounded edge and which extends substantially equal distances from each side of the web 32. The flange 33 forms a rounded continuation of the outer ends of the heads and has its ends in abutting engagement with the outer ends of the heads 20. A strip 34 is secured to or formed integral with each side of the web 32 and is disposed parallel to the straight edge thereof and adjacent said edge. The strips 34 extend upwardly and downwardly relatively to the web 32 and have their outer edges disposed in substantially the same plane as the complementary edges of the iange 33. The parts 32, 33 and 34 combine to form the base section 3| of the head 30.

The head 39 also includes a pair of cover plates 35 each of which is substantially semi-circular in shape. The cover plates 35 are disposed on opposite sides of the base section 3|, and are provided with correspondingly disposed openings 36 and inwardly extending socket portions 31 which are provided with openings 3B. The openings 38 of complementary socket portions 31 of the plates 35 are disposed in alinement with one another and in alinement with openings 39 for receiving nut and bolt fastenings 4|) which are ccuntersunk thereby in the openings 36 and sockets 31. As seen in Figure 7, the inner side, of each of the plates 35, is provided with an arcuately shaped strip 4|, two projections 42 and a strip 43. The strip 4I and the projections 42 are adapted to engage against the inner side of the ange 33, and the strip 43 is adapted to engage against the inner side of the strip 34 to hold the plate 35 in a definite xed position relatively to the base section 3|, and to aline the openings 38 with the openings 39. A D-shaped shim 44, as seen in Figure 12, is disposed between each plate 35, and the outer edges of the ange 33 and strip 34, which would otherwise engage said plate 35. The thickness of the shims 44 can be varied, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

As best seen in Figure 5, the inner edges of the plates 22 are spaced outwardly from the flanges I9 and the outer edges of the plates 22 are disposed substantially beyond the heads 20 so that the outer portions of the plates 22 combine with the heads 20 to form channels 45. Similarly, as seen in Figure 2, the outer rounded edges of the plates are spaced outwardly from the flange 33 to form an arcuately shaped channel 45 which connects the outer ends of the channels 45 which are formed by the plates 22 and heads 29, along each longitudinal edge of the bar I5. Wear strips 46 are secured by means of fastenings, such as rivets, to the outer sides of the heads 29 and ange 33, and complementary wear strips 41' are secured to the inner sides of the portions of the plates 22 and 35, which form the channels 45, by similar fastenings, designated 48. The wear strips 41, on their inner sides and adjacent their inner longitudinal edges are provided with notches or cut-out portions 49. The wear strips 46 and 41 substantially line the channel 45 and produce a channel which is substantially T- shaped in cross section, as seen in Figures 2 and 3.

As best seen in Figures 3, 5 and 6, a plurality of corresponding elongated wedges 5U are loosely mounted on opposite sides of the webs I8 and have at inner sides which bear against and slide-bly engage the webs I8. The wedges 59 are provided with inclined outer sides which engage the inclined outer edges of the cam strips 23. As seen in Figure 6, each of the wedges 50 engages two adjacent pairs of cam strips 23, which are attached to the same plate 22.

As seen in Figure 6, the anges I9 are provided with a plurality of sets of staggeredly arranged drilled openings 5I and enlarged openings 52. An opening 5| alines with each opening 52, and the alined openings 5I and 52 are formed in different flanges I9. Feed screws 53 extend through the alined openings 5I and 52 and threadedly engage the openings 5I. Feed screws 53 are provided with headed ends 54 and restricted ball shaped ends 55. The leed screws 53 are alternately arranged to extend in opposite directions through the anges I9, and the headed ends 54 of each of the feed screws is disposed adjacent to the flange I9 which is provided with the opening 52, through which said feed screw 53 extends. Each of the feed screws 53 carries a lock nut 56 which is adapted to bear against the flange I9 having the threaded opening 5I through which said feed screw extends. The wedges 50 are provided with sockets 51, as best seen in Figure 9, which open outwardly of their inner substantially hat sides for receiving the balls 55, and which are provided with restricted slot-like openings 58 in their inner faces for loosely engaging the shanks 59 of the balls 55. Each of the wedges 59 is provided with two sockets 51, each of which is engaged by a ball and a feed screw 53. As seen in Figure l, the spaces between the inner longitudinal edges ci the plates 22 and the flanges I9 expose the bolt heads 54 and the lock nuts 56 and permit adjustment of the feed screws 53. Consequently, it will be readily apparent, that if the feed screws 53 are turned so that their ball shaped ends 55 move away from the flanges I9, the wedges 59 will likewise be moved away from the anges I9 and by the cam action with the strips 23 will rock the inner, longitudinal edges of the plates 22 outwardly to thereby rock the outer longitudinal portions of the plates 22, which form portions of the channel 45, inwardly to restrict the channel 45. By providing shims 44, of diierent thicknesses, the sides of the channel portion 45, formed by the head 39, can be varied to correspond to the sides of the channel portions 45 which are formed in the opposite, longitudinal edges of the bar I5. The plates 22 are each provided with a plurality of openings 35, sockets 31 and openings 38, corresponding to the similarly designated parts of the plates 35. Likewise, the webs I8 are provided with openings 39, corresponding to the openings 39 in the web 32 so that the oppositely disposed plates 22 can be conne-cted by means of vnut and bolt fastenings 49, as best seen in dotted lines in Figure 5. The heads and nuts of the last mentioned fastenings 49 are countersunk in the openings 36 of the plates 22. Said last mentioned fastenings 4Q are loosened in order to permit adjustment of the plates 22 by outward movement of the Wedges 59, and are thereafter tightened to cooperate with the wedges for holding the plates 22 securely in adjusted positions. After the feed screws 53 have been adjusted the lock nuts 56 are moved into abutting engagement with the flanges I9 to retain the feed screws in their projected positions.

Near the opposite, inner end of the bar I5, the flanges I9 terminate in a U-shaped flange 6D, on each side of the webs I8. The U-shaped flanges S are disposed longitudinally -of the bar I5 and open toward the inner end 6I thereof. Beyond the inner ends of the flanges I9, the webs I8 of the members I1 have their inner longitudinal edges in abutting engagement, as best seen in Figure 3. 'I'he uppermost U-shaped ilange Y59 is adapted to receive an adjusting screw holder 62, the base 63 of which rests on the portions of the webs I8 which are disposed between the U- shaped flanges 89. Said portions of the webs I8 and the base 53 are `provided with openings 64 which are adapted to be arranged in alinement for receiving nut and bolt fastenings 65 for securing the holder 62 in the upper U-shaped flange 68. Holder 62 is provided with a head B5 in which is formed a threaded opening, not shown, for receiving the threaded shank end 61 of an adjusting screw 68, which is disposed in said upper U-shaped member 69 and longitudinally of the bar I5. The adjusting Yscrew E8 is provided with an enlarged head 69 which is disposed adjacent the open end of the upper U-shaped flange 88 and on the outer side of the head 56. The screw head 69 is provided with a plurality of openings 'I8 in the periphery thereof which are adapted to receive a turning tool, such as tommy bar, not shown, for adjustably positioning the screw 68 relatively to the upper U- shaped flange 6l! land the holder 62. A restricted stem or shank 1I projects from the outer .end of the head '55, as seen in Figure 1.

Beyond the open ends of the U-shaped flanges 50, toward the inner end 6I of the bar, the plates 22 have their inner longitudinal edge portions cut-out to form extensions 12 which constitute integral continuations of the cuter portions of the plates 22. Said extensions 12 combine with the inner end portions of the heads to form the inner ends of the channel 45, as best seen in Figure 11.

Beyond the open ends of the U-shaped flanges 69, the members I1 are provided with laterally spaced longitudinally extending flanges I9'. The adjacent portions of the webs I8 terminate at the flanges I9 to provide an uninterrupted space between flanges I9. As best seen in Figure 1, the portions of the webs I8 which are disposed between the flanges I9 and the heads 20 are provided with elongated longitudinally extending slots 13, which are spaced inwardly relatively to the extensions 12. An elongated strip 14 is secured to the inner side and adjacent the inner edge of each of the extensions 12, and extends longitudinally thereof, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1. As .seen in Figure 11, the strips 14 vabut against the inner sides of the heads 29 and have their inner, adjacent edges in engagement with .the webs I8.

The inner end 6I of the bar I5 is adapted to be fastened to a conventional cutting machine, portions of which are shown in Figures 10 and 11. The cutting machine, designated generally 15, includes the machine parts 16 and 11, between which the end 6I is adapted to be disposed. The machine parts 1B and 1.1 are provided with complementary inwardly extending ribs 18 which are adapted to be disposed between the flanges I9' and the heads 28 and which are adapted to abut against the sides of the webs I8. The machine part 16 is also provided with an intermediate longitudinally extending rib 18 which is disposed in the space between flanges I 9 and which extends downwardly to adjacent the inner side `of the machine part 11, as seen in Figure 11. The machine parts 18 and 11 have portions 19 which engage the inner longitudinal edges of the eX- tensions 12. The machine parts 16 and 11 are provided with alined openings for receiving nut and bolt fastenings 8| which extend loosely through the slots 13. The fastenings 8| are adapted to be tightened for clamping the inner portions of the extensions 1.2 between the portions 19. The strips 14 by engagement with the webs I8 prevent the extensions 12 from being forced inwardly by pressure on the portions 19. Said strips 14 also function to prevent the extensions 12 from moving laterally outwardly relatively to the bar I 5.

The outer end `of the central rib 18 of the machine part 16 is provided with a socket 82 to receive the stem or Vshank 1I of the adjusting screw 68.

The cutting machine 'l5 includes a driven sprocket 83 over which is trained an endless cutting chain 84 of conventional construction. Aside from the socket 82, the machine 15 and chain 84 are of conventional construction and form no part of the invention, but are shown and described merely to illustrate the application of the cutting bar I5. The chain 84 extends through the channel 45 and is slidably mounted therein, and as seen in Figure 11, the chain 84 is shaped to fit snugly in the T-shaped channel 45. The ends of the heads 28 and wear strips 46 are tapered, as seen in Figure 1, to permit the chain 84 to more readily move into and out of engagement with the bar and the notches 49 are likewise flared at the inner end of the bar I5, as seen in dotted lines in Figure 1, to permit the chain to more readily enter and move out of the channel 45. One of the plates 22 is preferably provided with a lubricating opening 85 whichV Opens into a portion of the channel @5 to permit the chain 84 to be lubricated.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that the bar I5 will form a supporting guide for the endless cutting chain 84, and as seen in Figure 11, the cutting chain will not contact any part of the bar I5 except the wear strips 4B and 41 'so that these parts, which are replaceable, will be subjected to all of the wear. It will likewise be readily obvious that the channel 45 can be restricted, as previously explained, to compensate for wear on the chain and on the wear strips. The chain 84 can be tensioned by loosening the fastenings 8l and turning the adjusting screw 68 to move it toward the machine 15 so that the adjusting screw will force the cutting bar I5 away from the machine. When the chain has been properly tensioned in this manner the fastenings 8| are tightened to retain the bar l5 in adjusted position relatively to the machine l5.

In order that the extensions 'l2 can be adjusted with the plates 22 for varying the size of the channel 45, said extensions 12 are provided with rounded edges l2 and the inner edges of the strips '14, which engage the webs I8, are rounded as seen 14 (Figure 11). The upwardly offset lianges 86 of the part 'l5 are provided with threaded openings to receive set screws 88 which bear against the upper extensions 12. The portions 19 of the part 'l1 are provided with similar openings 8l to receive set screws 89 which bear against the lower extensions 12. The set screws 88 and 89 carry lock nuts 90 for holding them in adjusted positions. By loosening fastenings 8i, set screws 88 and 89 can be advanced for rocking the outer edges of extensions 'l2 inwardly to restrict the portions of the channel 45, formed thereby. The rounded edges 'l2' and T4 permit parts 12 and lll to rock relatively to the parts that they engage. Lock nuts 9B and fastenings 8l are then tightened to hold extensions 12 in adjusted positions.

It will be readily obvious that both sides of the bar l are identical so that either side thereof may form its upper or under side, and as the adjusting screw holder 62 is movable it can obviously be mounted in either U-shaped flange 6B which happens to be the upper side of the bar l5.

Obviously, the bar l5 may be made in various lengths, depending upon the length of the cutting chain 84, and the number of wedges 50 and feed screws 53 as well as the number of other parts associated therewith could of course be varied, depending upon the length of the cutting bar.

Various modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to, provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter dened by the appended claims, as only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cutter bar for cutting machines comprising an elongated bar provided with a rounded end, said bar having a channel extending around its outer edge, said channel being provided with ends opening outwardly of the opposite end of the bar and forming a guide for an endless cutting chain, driven by a cutting machine, said bar being provided with pairs of plates having complementary portions forming the sides of said channel, said plates being hingedly mounted, and means for urging the channel forming portions of the plates inwardly of one another for restricting the size of the channel.

2. In a cutting bar for endless chain cutting machines, said bar being provided with an outwardly opening channel in which an endless chain is adapted to run, said channel being provided with wear strips disposed in the bed and sides thereof and lining the inner side of said channel, means for fastening said wear strips to the bar, and the wear strips, connected to the sides of the channel being provided with recessed portions formed in their exposed sides and adjacent their inner, longitudinal edges so that said wear strips combine to form a channel which is substantially T-shaped in cross section.

3. A cutting bar for supporting and guiding an endless cutting chain driven by a cutting machine, said bar being provided with an elongated base portion having a ange at each side edge thereof and extending longitudinally thereof, said flanges being arranged at substantially right angles to the plane of the base portion and being disposed to project from opposite sides thereof, plates pivotally connected to the base portion and projecting beyond the outer sides of said flanges and combining therewith to form a channel adapted to receive the endless cutting chain, and means for rocking said plates relatively to the base portion for varying the size of the channel.

4. A cutting bar as in claim 3, said base member being provided with a longitudinally extending flange disposed intermediate of its longitudinal edges and projecting from opposite sides thereof, feed screws mounted in said last mentioned flange, wedge members carried by said feed screws, and cam members projecting from the inner sides of said plates and disposed to be engaged by said wedge members for rocking the outer edges of the plates inwardly when the wedge members are moved outwardly, said last mentioned ange, feed screws, wedge members and cam members combining to form said means.

5. A cutting bar for use with a cutting machine and endless cutting chain, comprising a bar having one end adapted to be connected to a cutting machine, the opposite end of said bar being rounded, a channel extending substantially around the outer edge of the bar and having outwardly opening ends, adjacent the rst mentioned end of the machine and adapted to form entrance and exit openings for the cutting chain, said channel being adapted to form a guide and support in which the cutting chain is movably mounted, and means for varying the size of the channel whereby the chain will be properly engaged and held in the channel of the bar.

6. A cutting bar for use with cutting machines and endless cutting chains driven thereby, comprising a base section extending longitudinally of the bar, plates hingedly connected to said base section on opposite sides thereof and adjacent its opposite edges, said plates extending outwardly beyond the edges of the base section and combining therewith to form a channel in which a cutting chain is adapted to run, wedges disposed between the inner portions of said plates and the base section, and follower screws carried by the base section for moving the wedges relatively to the plates, said wedges engaging said plates for rocking the plates relatively to the base section for Varying the cross sectional size of the channel.

'7. A cutting bar as in claim 6, the inner, longitudinal edges of said plates being spaced from one another to form elongated openings for exposing said screws and to permit adjustment of the screws with the bar assembled.

FRANK J. JONES. 

